USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1916-1920 > Part 14
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Surgical dressings .22,676 Refugee garments 186
Knitted articles 1,368 Comfort kits 50
Hospital supplies 1,012
Sixty-six soldiers and sailors from West Acton, South Ac- ton, and Boxboro, have been supplied with knitted articles. In 1917, thirty-five Christmas boxes were sent and in 1918, Christ-
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mas cards were sent to all our boys in the service. Two collec- tions of clothing for Belgian sufferers were attended with gen- erous response. A linen drive netted 121 articles, thirty-six more than were asked for. A home service committee has at- tended to the needs of soldiers' families.
In the month of May, 1918, the Red Cross Second War Fund Drive was inaugurated and the country was asked to subscribe $100,000,000. The quota of West and South Acton
was fixed at $1,000. The actual amount raised was nearly twice, being $1,993. The work for these districts was in charge of Mr. B. E. Hall, with Mrs. Ella Feltus captain of the West Acton team, and Mr. Fred W. Nagle of the South Acton team .. Numerous solicitors were a part of each district's organiza- tion. In the drive for membership in December, 1918, the goal was fifty percent of the population. This was not quite at- tained, but 588 names were obtained, a percentage which was cqual to and in excess of many surrounding towns. Mr. B. E. Hall was also in charge of this drive, with Mrs. R. Gates Baker of the West district, and Miss Clara Sawyer of the South dis- trict as captains, assisted by numerous solicitors. On account of sickness, Mrs. R. Gates Baker was obliged to give up the work before the completion of the drive and Miss Jennie Dur- kee filled the vacancy. The present membership is 588. We have no information relative to any drive previous to the one of May, 1918.
All the pupils of the public schools were enrolled as mem- · bers of a Junior Red Cross and they produced 778 articles, consisting of gun wipes, weight bags, pin balls, comfort pil- lows and trench candles.
Facts relating to the Acton Center Branch are not as com- plete as is desirable, owing to the absence from town of its president while this report was in process of preparation. The following facts are to be noted, however : This branch has collected from all sources $2,432.62. It has expended $2,141.54. It has made and distributed 1,397 garments, of which a large number were knitted articles. In the 1918 drive for funds, $745 were raised; about $250 more than its allotment or quota. This drive was in charge of Mrs. George S. Tucker, Jr., and Miss Charlotte Conant, assisted by solicitors. In the Christmas 1918 drive for members, 244 were secured and this is its pre- sent membership. This drive was in charge of Mrs. Albion Millan and Miss Charlotte Conant, assisted by solicitors.
An Acton Center Junior Red Cross was also organized, with a membership of 77. It has raised $49.03, and disbursed $19.66. It has hemmed forty-six handkerchiefs, knitted one afghan and three washcloths, made ten fracture pillows, a bun- dle of fifty gun wipes, a pair of wristers and a pair of stock- ings. The work was in charge of Miss Ella L. Miller.
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From the very beginning, both the West and South Branch and the Center Branch have had the most efficient and enthusiastic leadership. Mrs. Rachael Haynes of the West and South Branch, and Mrs. Gertrude Daniels of the Center Branch have each been at the head of their respective organi- zations from their beginning. Mrs. Alberta Tuttle as vice chairman of the West and South Branch, has given her special attention to the work carried on in South Acton. All of these ladies have shown unfailing devotion and their work has been a great inspiration to everyone.
THE FIRST AND SECOND LIBERTY LOANS
It has been found impossible to get data respecting these two loans which was full and accurate enough to be of value. Subscriptions were received by F. K. Shaw, M. D., represent- ing Concord National bank, and Mr. Ralph Hastings, repre- senting the North Middlesex Savings bank.
THIRD LIBERTY LOAN
The quota for the town of Acton was $57,000. The num- ber of subscribers and the amounts from each precinct are as follows :
Number of subscribers, Precinct 1 .. 153. Amount, $36,600
Number of subscribers, Precinct 2 .. 140.
Amount, 46,900
Number of subscribers, Precinct 3 .. 251. Amount, 36,500
Total
544 $120,000
The committee in charge of this work were F. K. Shaw for Precincts 1 and 3, and Ralph Hastings for Precinct 2. Mrs. R. Gates Baker was in charge of the canvassing for the entire town and was assisted by Mrs. George S. Tucker, captain of Precinct 1; Miss Clara Sawyer, captain Precinct 2, and Mrs. Ruth Gould, captain Precinct 3. A large number of solicitors assisted in the canvass. Honor flags showing that the town had reached its quota were unfurled in each precinct upon the last day of the drive. Mr. C. L. Crank, attorney general of Colorado, gave stirring addresses in each precinct, and Corpo- ral F. E. Evans and Corporal S. A. Briggs of the Depot Bri- gade, 76th Division, played several duets upon cornets. A star showing that Acton had doubled its quota was afterward added to the flag.
FOURTH LIBERTY LOAN
The quota for Acton was $94,000. The amount and num- ber of subscribers by precincts is as follows :
Number of subscribers, Precinct 1 .. 185. Number of subscribers, Precinct 2 .. 300. Number of subscribers, Precinct 3 .. 238.
Amount, $53,200
Amount, 53,800
Amount, 42,000
Total
723
$149,000
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The drive for this loan was in charge of Mrs. R. Gates Baker, chairman, with Mrs. George S. Tucker, captain Precinct 1 ; Miss Clara Sawyer, captain Precinct 2, and Miss Jennie Dur- kee, captain Precinct 3. A large number of solicitors assisted in the canvass. Honor flags were also unfurled in each pre- cinct, showing that Acton had met its quota and a blue star was presented to be placed upon the flag raised in the center of the town, showing that the town had doubled its quota. The solicitors were untiring in their efforts. In some cases several calls were made upon subscribers for their conveniences.
WAR SAVINGS STAMPS
The following facts relating to the War Savings Stamps which have been sold in Acton does not convey an absolutely accurate impression concerning the matter, due to the fact that the rural free delivery routes running both into Acton and out of Acton have sold considerable amounts and the record of these amounts have not been segregated. By precincts the number of subscribers, the number of stamps of a maturing value of five dollars each, and the maturity value of the aggre- gate is as follows :
Precinct 1-Number of subscribers 114
Precinct 2-Number of subscribers 311
Precinct 3-Number of subscribers 330
Total 755
Precinct 1-Number of stamps 164. Maturity value
$820
Precinct 2-Number of stamps 1963.
Maturity value 9,815
Precinct 3-Number of stamps 1887. Maturity value 9,435
Total 4014 $20,070
The organization for the town was as follows : Chairman for the town, Mr. W. F. Kelley ; captain Precinct 1, Miss May Pickard ; captain Precinct 2, Mrs. Louise L. Clark ; captain Pre- cinct 3, Miss Eleanor Weeks.
The above figures take no account of the Thrift Stamps that have been sold in town, as no records of these are kept. Only War Savings Stamps of a maturity value of five dollars each are reported.
Y. M. C. A. DRIVE
In the spring of 1917, a drive for the war work of the Young Men's Christian Association was conducted. The amount of about $1,000 was raised in the entire town. About $300 in Precinct 1, $100 in Precinct 2, and $600 in Precinct 3. The ex- act figures are not now available without considerable search, due to the fact that the treasurer of the committee is out of town. The chairman of the committee was Mr. Edgar H. Hall.
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
About fifty dollars was contributed for the work of this organization, the same being forwarded to the Marlboro Chapter.
THE UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN
This work consisted of a drive to raise funds for num- erous organizations engaged in furnishing entertainment, in- struction and many other most desirable comforts to the sol- diers in the field and in camps. These organizations included : The Young Men's Christian Association, Young Woman's Christian Association, The Knights of Columbus, The Jewish Welfare Board, The War Camp Community Service, The Sal- vation Army, and The American Library Association. The funds realized from the drive were apportioned among these organizations according to the magnitude of their work. The quota for Acton was $3,000. It raised $3,061.89. The organi- zation of this work for the town was as follows : Bertram D. Hall, chairman for the town; George S. Tucker, Jr., captain Precinct 1; Lewis T. Willard, captain Precinct 2; R. Gates Baker, captain Precinct 3. Contributions were as follows : Number of contributors-Precinct 1, 173. Amount $814.00
Number of contributors-Precinct 2, 217. Amount 733.95
Number of contributors-Precinct 3, 237. Amount 763.94
Total
627 $2,311.89
The American Powder Company gave $2,000 from its Bos- ton office, of which $750 was credited to Acton.
FOOD ADMINISTRATION
The Food Administration in Acton did not become so se- rious a problem as in some communities. The people and the dealers in food stuffs were almost without exception anxious to aid to the fullest in the production, conservation and dis- tribution of food. There appears to be no data of the amount of food produced in town, but it is common knowledge that an amount greatly in excess of pre-war years was produced. In this respect many home gardens were conducted, which were un- utilized for that purpose formerly. Notice should not be passed over that a tract of land near Acton Center was given free use of by Mr. James B. Tuttle to be used as a boys' summer camp. This camp furnished much necessary labor to the farmers of this and adjoining towns, without which the food production of this locality would have been greatly reduced. A boys' and girls' contest was held for the production of the best half-acre of field corn. The food conservation activities were largely carried on through the agency of the Red Cross Branches, the Women's clubs and the local representatives of the Women's Council for National Defense .. A much larger amount than usual of food stuffs were canned, dried and preserved, thus
57
showing that the housewives of Acton are thrifty, as well as patriotic. Much literature was received and distributed, cal- culated to aid housewives in conserving food. Regulations re- specting food control were, in the main, handed down from na- tion, state and county authority. A flour inventory was taken in May, 1918. No hoarding was discovered. On the contrary the fact was disclosed that families were almost without excep- tion complying with the regulations and had very small quan- tities of flour on hand. The sugar situation became somewhat more difficult of regulation. It became necessary to place the town upon the card or coupon system for the distribution of sugar in order that honest consumers might receive the protec- tion their due as against the dishonest. The system was simi- lar to the one in use in many other towns. It was of short dura- tion and the people accommodated themselves to it in good spirit.
The Food Administration was in charge of Mr. Allen Brooks Parker, assisted by Miss Charlotte Conant, Mr. N. J. Cole, Mr. James B. Tuttle, and Mr. W. E. Whitcomb.
FUEL ADMINISTRATION
The Fuel Administration was in charge of Mr. Edgar H. Hall, Frank W. Hoit and James B. Tuttle. Their authority was entirely subject to State authorities. Their efforts were largely confined to trying to obtain coal in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of the people. In this particular they were fairly suc- cessful so far as South Acton was concerned, but without fault on their part there continued. a considerable shortage in the West District. With the approval of the State Fuel Adminis- trator the price was fixed for 1917, at $10.50 at the car for West and South Acton, and $11.00 delivered at the Center. For 1918, the price was $1.00 higher.
THE CHURCHES
The churches of the town have held gatherings, in which the pastors have kept before the people the critical issues of the great war and much of an instructive character has emin- ated from this source. It must not be overlooked, furthermore, that through the agency of the churches the people have been helped to seek the aid of All Mighty God in the prosecution of this war and His blessing in the success of those issues for which we were fighting, issues in which our fathers and fore- fathers were rewarded by the blessing of Him, who holds the destinies of the nations in the hollow of His hand. Thanks- giving services were held in the churches upon the signing of the armistice, for the hearts of the people rejoiced in His salvation.
ROSTER OF MEN IN THE SERVICE
It has been concluded by your committee that it is unwise to attempt to publish at this time a list of the Acton men in
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the military and naval service of the country. Such a list at this time could hardly be expected to be complete, either in its personel or other desirable information relating to individual record and service. Another committee has been appointed for the collecting of this information and has already begun its work. Its report will be available for public record at some future time.
THE LUMBER UNIT
Early in the summer of 1917, numerous American Lumber Units were organized to assist the British Government in fur- nishing lumber for war purposes. Such a unit was organized in this locality and several Acton men joined it. It was sta- tioned at Ardgay, Scotland, and made a very creditable record in the speed and quantity of manufactured lumber that it turned out. Mr. Webster Blanchard was in charge of this unit. THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC
Early in the course of the great epidemic of inflenza your committee was asked by the State Board of Health to organize the town against a possible spread of the dead disease. The committee sought to avoid this work, as it properly belonged to the local Board of Health. However, after urgest request, a skeleton organization was effected, consisting of a district nurse, a district housekeeper, and the service of an automobile for each precinct. The local Board of Health was able to ade- quately deal with the situation and our organization performed no work.
CONCLUSION
Your committee recognizes that this report is a wholly in- adequate representation of the war activities of the people of the town. Much more might have been said of an interesting character. The work of its preparation has been a considerable task for all who have contributed to its substance and a limited space has determined its length.
In conclusion your committee thinks that the contribution which the people of Acton have made toward the winning of the great war has been a creditable one. Because of small population this contribution has been quickly lost in the great aggregate of the State and nation, but it has been typical of the spirit of the great American people.
There seems little doubt that the Imperial German Gov- ernment would not have precipitated the war had they ade- quately gauged the spirit of our people and their capacity for accomplishment.
FOR THE COMMITTEE,
Allen Brooks Parker, Chairman.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 1918-1919
Luther Conant, President Delette H. Hall Mrs. Caroline L. Brown
E. Faulkner Conant, Secretary Frank Knowlton
George T. Ames J. S. White Horace F. Tuttle L. A. Hesselton
The service of the Acton Memorial Library has pursued the even tenor of its way the past year with the average de- mand for books. That the call is less than we would have it, goes without saying. The reasons for this have been discussed in recent reports which we need not repeat.
The vacancies in the Board of Trustees were filled at a special meeting called for the purpose. Mrs. Caroline L. Brown was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Moses Taylor and Mr. George T. Ames, a soldier of the Union, to take Mr. Hiram Hapgood's place. The choice of both was unanimous.
The library has been fortunate in the gifts received the past year. Mrs. Caroline L. Brown donated a life size oil por- trait of Daniel Webster, suitably framed. Governor Long said of Webster : "Our mightest intellect, our greatest statesman and our most renowned and powerful orator." The Webster portrait is hung at the left entrance to the reading room. A visitor, standing under the mantle would see on his right the marble semblance of Washington, on the other cor- ned the one of Lincoln, both by the eminent sculptor, Thomas Ball, and on the opposite wall the portrait of Webster, three great Americans.
The grave has just been closed over the lifeless form of one, who by his intense patriotism, his virile Americanism may well be named with illustrious Americans.
We have received from Miss Ellen A. Kimball of Little- ton a copy, four quarto volumes, richly bound in leather, of "The Memorial History of Boston," from the settlement in 1630 to 1880, two hundred and fifty years, a symposium by many prominent authors.
Before closing we cannot refrain from expressing our thanks to the many brave sons of Acton, who in this, one of the greatest eras of the world's history, have gone wherever duty called, whether in the trenches on the battlefields of France, upon the high seas, in the mountains of Scotland, for the Red
60
Cross or the Y. M. C. A. And last but not least to the noble women of Acton who have given so freely of their time and labor, to ameliorate the conditions of their sons and brothers in the service, not forgetting those who have gone abroad, real angels of mercy to care for the sick and wounded without regard to race or color.
We ask the town to vote the same appropriation, $200.00 for new books and $450.00 for current expenses as in years past.
Respectfully submitted, LUTHER CONANT, For the Tustees.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Accessions : Number of volumes in the library January 1, 1918, 13,411. Increase by purchase 317, of which 25 were ob- tained by binding magazines. Increase by gift 49. Total in- crease 366. Number of volumes in the library Jan. 1, 1919, 13,777.
Circulation : Number of days library was opened 100. Number of volumes circulated 8,850. Daily average circula- tion 881/2. Largest daily circulation 138, on June 15th. Small- est daily circulation 43 on April 3.
Received from fines $30.75
Expended for postage
.75
$30.00
Gifts of books have been received from the following sources : U. S. Government 5; State of Massachusetts 21; Mrs. J. M. Brown 4; E. Carbonnel 1; Carnegie Endowment 1; Mrs. E. S. Fobes 4; Mrs. E. P. Gates 1; Miss Ellen Kim- ball 4; Harold R. Phalen 1; Benj. Pope 5; New Church 1; Security League 1.
ARTHUR F. DAVIS,
Librarian.
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BOOKS ADDED TO THE ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY
IN 1918
NON-FICTION
Aldrich, A .- A hilltop on the Marne 940-A365h
Andrews, R. C. and Y. B .- Camps and trails in China
915.1-A569c
Anon-Drawings by Rembrandt
74-A1001
Anon-Wounded and a prisoner of war
940-A100w
Anon-Out of their mouths
940-A1000
Anon-Our first half million
940-A100ou
Auguecheek-My unknown chum
81-A922m
Avebury-The scenery of England
55-A948s
Barbusse, H .- Under Fire
940-B241u
Beith, I. H .- The first hundred thousand
940-B422f
Beith, I. H .- All in it; K 1 carries on
940-B422a
Bigelow, J .- The Bible that was lost and is found 22-B592b
Boardman, M. T .- Under the Red Cross flag at home and abroad 61-B662u
Bott, A .- Cavalry of the Clouds
940-B751c
Breasted, J. H .- Ancient times, a history of the early world
930-B828a
Breshkorsky, C .- The little grandmother of the Russian revolution 928-B842b
Bruce, C. G .- Kashmir
.915.4-B886k
Bryan, J. H .- Ambulance 464
940-B915a
Canfield, W. W .- The legends of the Iroquois
39-C2221
Calton, M. A .- The small grains 63-C284s
Cary, E. L .- Honore Daumier 74-C332h
Cary, E. L .- The works of James McNeil Whistler
75-C332w
Castle, V .- Modern dancing
79-C353m
Cheradame, A .- The United States and Pangermania
940-C521u
Clark, A. T .- To Bagdad with the British
940-C592t
Clarke, G. H. (Ed)-A treasury of war poetry
940-C598t
Clarke, H. A .- Hawthorne's country
917.3-C598h
Clemenceau, G .- South America today 918-C625s
Coburn, F. W .- Fiction and truth about the battle on Lex- ington Common 973.3-C658f
Coburn, F. W .- The battle of April 19, 1775
973.3-C658b
Collins, A. F .- How to fly
62-C712h
Collins, A. F .- Keeping up with your motor car 62-C712k
Coolidge, W. A. B .- The Alps in nature and history 914-C774a Croiset, A .- An abridged history of Greek literature 88-C942a
·
.
62
Curran, W. T .- In Canada's wonderful northland 917.1-C976i Cussans, J. E .- Handbook of Heraldry 929-C984h
Davidson, J. B .- Agricultural engineering 63-D252a
Davis, A. N .- The Kaiser as I know him 940-D261k
Davis, O. S .- Using the Bible in public address 20-D263u
Dawson, C .- Carry on, letters in war time
940-D272c
Depew, A .- Gunner Depew
940-D419g
Dugmore, A. R .- The romance of the beaver
59-D866r
Emerson, E. W .- Henry Thoreau as remembered by a young friend 922-T488e
Empey, A. G .- Over the top
940-E550
Empey, A. G .- First call
940-E55f
Falt, C. M .- Wharf and fleet
81-F197w
Ferris, R .- How it flies 62-F394h
Fisher, H. A. L .- The republican tradition in Europe 32-F533r
Fitzgerald, E. A .- The highest Andes 918-F553h
Fletcher, A. C. B .- From job to job around the world
910-F612f
Fox, F .-- The British empire 910-F791b 81-F939m
Frost, R .- Mountain interval
Gay, C. W .- The principles and practice of judging live stock 63-G285p
Gerard, J. W .- Face to face with Kaiserism 940-G356f Goltz, H .- My adventures as a German secret agent 940-G629m Grimshaw, B .- Fiji and its possibilities 919.6-G864f Gwynne, P .- Along Spain's river of romance, the Guadal- quivir 914.6-G995a
Haigh, R .- Life in a tank 940-H1491
Hall, B .- "En l'air !" (in the air)
940-H174e
Hamerton, P. G .- Painting in France after the decline of classicism 75-H215p
Hankey, D. W. A .- A student in arms
940-H241s
Hankey, D. W. A .- A student in arms (second series)
940-H241s2
Harvey, W. J .- Denmark and the Danes 914.8-H342d
Henderson, T. E .- The Auld Ayrshire of Robert Burns
914.1-H497a
Henderson, W. J .- The elements of navigation 52-H497e
Hodges, G .- The early church from Ignatius to Augustus
20-H688ea
Holmes, R. D .- A Yankee in the trenches 940-H749y 918-H737t
Holland, W. J .- To the river Platte and back Howe, M. A. D .- The life and letters of George Bancroft, 2 vols. 922-B213h
Jackson, H .- Rambles in the Pyrenees and the adjacent districts 914.4-J12r
James, G. W .- Arizona the wonderland 917.3-J27a
Jameson, J. M .- Elementary practical mechanics 53-J31e
63
Jerrold, W .- The Danube 914-J55d
Johnson, C .- Old time schools and school books
973.2-J6650
Jonson, B .- Dramas 82-J81d
Keene, S .- Eat to live 64-K26e
Kelley, R. T .- Egypt
916.2-K29e
Keppel, F .- The golden age of engraving
76-K38g
King, F. H .- A textbook of the Physics of Agriculture
Lauder, H .- A minstrel in France
Liddle, W .- Sweden
63-K52t 940-L368m 914.8-L712s 64-L736b
Lincoln, M. J .- Boston cook book
Lindsay, V .- The art of the moving picture 77-L753a
Lintier, P .- My '75 reminiscences of a gunner 940-L761m
Mathews, F. S .- The writing table of the twentieth cen- tury 929-M438w
Mills, E. A .- The Rocky Mountain wonderland
Mills, E. A .- Your National Parks
Morris, C .- The life of a star
Mortane, J .- Guynemer, the ace of aces
Muir, J .- A thousand mile walk to the Gulf 917.3-M953th
Murphy, C. J .- American Indian corn, 150 ways to pre- pare and cook it 64-M978a Myrick, H .- The book of corn 63-M998h 917.3-N397r
Neihardt, J. G .- The river and I
Nelson, G. N .- Income tax law and accounting
33-N426i
Nobbs, G .- On the right of the British line
940-N7440
O'Brien, P .- Outwitting the Hun 940-0130
Owen, M. B .- The secret of typewriting speed 65-097s
Page, V. W .- Aviation engines
62-P132a
Paine, R. D .- The fighting fleets
940-P146f
Pearson, G .- The escape of a Princess Pat 940-P361e
940-P4630
Pinkerton, R. D .- "Ladies from Hell" 940-P6551
Quick, H .- American inland waterways 38-Q6a
Richard, T .- Forty-five years in China 924-R513r
Rihbany, A. M .- Militant America and Jesus Christ 20-R472m Roe, A. S .- History of the first regiment of heavy artillery,
Rostand, E .- Cyrano de Bergerac
Schelema, J. F .- Java
Seitz, D. C .- Training for the newspaper trade
Sell, M. A .- Good taste in home furnishing 64-S467g
Shaw, V .- Encyclopedia of the stable 63-S536e
Smith, F. H .- Outdoor sketching 75-S6470
Smith, W. C .- How to grow 100 bushels of corn per acre on worn soil
63-S664h
Strong, T. G .- Joseph H. Choate
922-C545s
Sulzer, W .- Short speeches
81-S954s
917.3-M657r 917.3-M657y 922-M875m 940-M887g
Perry, L .- Our navy in the war
Mass. Volunteers, 1861-1865 973.7-R698h 84-R839c 919.2-S322j 07-S462t
64
Sweetser, M. F .- A guide to the White Mountains 917.3-S974g Talbot, F. A .- The Canadian Pacific railway 917.1-T138c Thrasher, M. B .- Tuskegee, its story and its work 37-T529t Tinayre, M .- To arms 940-T587t
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